Hayes Hydro lever ?s

I have the basic Hayes Hydro 9 brakes and have two questions:
1st: the set screw at the lever that changes the pull; does that push the plunger into the reservior more or less or does it simply change the angle of the lever? I had a long empty pull and the lever almost touched the handlebar. This was after it sat for 5 weeks due to cracked ribs. I don't remember it requiring that much pull. So I pushed the setscrew it to have more of a response. While they engage with less pull and it doesn't get near the handlebar anymore, it does seem like the reach is more than I like.
2nd: any good recommendations on levers that have more of a bend for people with shorter fingers? Nothing fancy, I just don't like a long empty pull and a short pull to engage seems like a long reach for my stubby fingers!
thanks
ps I just had the rear brake redone due to crack in the line and both levers were the same when I pulled them.